轉角有 convenience store！

說法比一比：★★★★學校：Where is a 7-11 in this area?
　　　（這附近哪裡有7-11？）
老外：Is there a 7-11 around here?
　　　（這附近有7-11嗎？）


實境對話
A：Is there a 7-11 around here?
　（這附近有7-11嗎？）
B：Yeah, there's one right around the corner.
　（有啊，轉角就有一間。）


老外還會這麼說
ex：Where's the nearest 7-11?
　（最近的7-11在哪裡？）
ex：Do you know if there's a 7-11 near here?　
　（你知道這附近有沒有7-11嗎？）
ex：Is there a convenience store around here?　
　（這附近有便利商店嗎？）

Call it 一點心意！

技術挑戰指數：★★★小時候每年過年，總是很期待爸媽和親戚給的紅包，對小孩來說是一筆不小的金額！沒想到今年要換我給爸媽紅包了，心情好複雜喔！有能力給爸媽是很開心，可是相反的，覺得爸媽真的老了！除夕夜吃完飯後，慎重的拿了紅包給爸媽，雖然金額不多，但”Call it a small token”。


來聽老美怎麼說？
Ken：Looks like another day without sweet buns for Ken.
　 （肯恩：看起來肯恩又是沒有甜麵包的一天了。）
Nancy：Call it a small token of our appreciation.
　 （南希：你可以稱它為我們對你表示感激的一點小心意。）
Ken：I think I might just ban sweet buns from the office after I become division manager.
　（肯恩：我想我當上部門經理後，可能會乾脆禁止辦公室裡有甜麵包。）
Nancy：What was that? Sorry, I can't hear you while I'm chewing.
　 （南希：你剛說什麼？抱歉，我在吃東西聽不到你說什麼。）


俚語小解析Call it.....　　稱它為.....　
當你用這個句型時，你是在建議某人該如何看待一個局勢。如果你的午餐時間就要過了，來不及趕回去上班，拿出你的手提電腦跟你的同事說，”Let's call it a working lunch.”咱們就稱它為工作午餐。

The 2012 London Games 2012倫敦奧運開賽

Every four years, the world stops what it is doing and turns its attention to an event so spectacular that billions of people tune in to see what happens. If you guessed that this is the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, then you are right. This summer, the Olympic Games will be held in London, England from July 27 to August 12. Athletes from 205 nations around the world will be competing in feats of strength, speed, and accuracy. Overall, there will be 300 events at the Olympics this year, with women's boxing making its debut.
每隔四年，全世界都會停下手邊工作，改而注意一項讓數十億人都轉台關注的精彩盛事。若您猜想的是奧運的開幕典禮，那您就猜對了。今年夏天從七月二十七到八月十二日，英國倫敦將會成為奧運的舉辦地。來自全球兩百零五個國家的運動員將在考驗力量、速度及精準度的各項賽事中互相較勁。今年的奧運總共會有三百個比賽項目，當中包括了首次登場的女子拳擊。
　　London is the only city ever to host the games three times. It is home to many famous sporting venues like Wimbledon, Wembley Stadium, Lord's Cricket Ground, Millennium Stadium, and Hyde Park, which will all be hosting events. The newly built Olympic Stadium will also feature many of the events, along with the opening and closing ceremonies that will be watched by billions worldwide. The Olympic organizers are making a big effort to go green this year. Everything is designed to have low carbon emissions, produce little waste, and involve green technology wherever possible.
倫敦是唯一一個三度主辦奧運的城市。它同時也是溫布頓、溫布利球場、洛德板球場、千禧球場和海德公園等眾多著名運動會場的所在地，而上述所提的所有場館也都會主辦賽事。至於新落成的倫敦奧林匹克體育場也將進行多項比賽，以及全世界數十億人口都會收看的開幕和閉幕典禮。今年奧運的主辦單位也致力落實環保。各個環節的設計重點都以低排碳量、製造少量的廢棄物、和盡可能使用環保科技為目標。


@Words & Phrases

1. spectacular a. 引人注目的，精彩的
There are spectacular fireworks displays every year on the Fourth of July.
每年七月四日的美國國慶日都會有精彩壯觀的煙火表演。
2. overall adv. 總共，整體而言
The cost for installing six new windows is NT$12,000 overall.
裝設六扇新窗戶的花費是一萬兩千元。
3. make + 所有格 + debut　　（某物∕人）首次出現∕登台
Country music singer Taylor Swift made her debut with her self-titled album in 2006.
鄉村歌手泰勒絲在2006年以同名專輯在樂壇初試啼聲。
4. host vt. 主辦；主持
The organization hosted a fundraiser to help those who lost their homes in the earthquake.
那個團體主辦了募款活動來幫助在地震中喪失家園的人。
5. feature vt. 以……為主要內容 & n. 特色，特徵
The suite features spacious bedrooms and gorgeous views from the hotel's top floor.
這間套房是以寬敞的臥房及飯店頂樓的絕美景色作為主要賣點。
6. along with...　　以及……；與……一起
Paula, along with her parents, traveled to France to visit her cousins.
寶拉和她父母一起去法國探望她的表親。
7. worldwide adv. 遍及全世界地
The killing of Osama bin Laden made headlines worldwide last May.
奧薩瑪‧賓拉登遭擊斃一事在去年五月成為全球各地的頭條新聞。
8. make an effort to + 原形動詞　　盡力做……
The parents are making every effort to give their children the best possible education.
那對父母致力要讓他們孩子盡可能接受最好的教育。

 

 

 

@Extra Words

1. feat n. 壯舉
2. venue n. 舉行場所，舉辦地點
3. cricket n. 板球
4. millennium n. 一千年，千年期
5. organizer n. 籌辦者
6. carbon n. 碳
7. emission n. 排放

 

 

 

@Tip In Use

"so...that..."的用法so + 形容詞∕副詞 + that + 主詞 + 動詞　　如此……以致於……
such + a/an + 名詞 + that + 主詞 + 動詞　　如此……以致於……
注意:
在上述句構中，so 為副詞，故其後須接形容詞或副詞以供修飾；而 such 為形容詞，因此其後要接名詞。
Nina is so rude that no one likes to be around her.
= Nina is such a rude person that no one likes to be around her.
（妮娜那麼無禮，因此沒有人喜歡與她共處。）
表『世界各地』的用法
all over the world　　全世界，世界各地
= the world over
= worldwide
注意:
上述用法可作形容詞用，置於名詞後，修飾該名詞；亦可作副詞用，修飾句中動詞，且使用"the world over"時，其前不可再置介詞 in，即無 "in the world over"的用法。
People all over the world are against terrorism.
（全球各地的人們都反對恐怖主義。）
This kind of smartphone can be bought the world over.
（這種智慧型手機在世界各地都買得到。）

那邊有 ticket machine！

說法比一比：★★★★學校：How to buy a ticket from the machine?
（要怎麼用售票機買票？）
老外：Can you show me how to buy a ticket from the machine?
（你能不能教我要怎麼用售票機買票？）



實境對話
A：Problem, sir?
（有問題嗎，先生？）
B：Yeah, can you show me how to buy a ticket from the machine?
（是，你能不能教我要怎麼用售票機買票？）



老外還會這麼說
ex：Can you show me how the ticket machine works?
（你能不能教我售票機要怎麼用？）
ex：Can you show me how to use the ticket machine?　
（你能不能教我要怎麼用售票機？）

新一季的 campaign！

技術挑戰指數：★★★又到了要企劃新一季宣傳活動的時候了！辦公室總是到晚上九點還是燈火通明，一堆人都得留下來加班！每天都有開不完的會，有時候可以討論出個頭緒，但有時候開了好幾個小時的會，卻一點結果都沒有！回家的路上，腦子還一直在想有沒有更好的方法，可以用最低的預算，達到最大的成效！


來聽老美怎麼說？ex：We are planning our new marketing campaign at the moment.
（我們目前正在規劃新的行銷活動。）
ex：You did a great job of organizing such a successful public relations campaign!
（你表現得很好，籌辦了這麼成功的公關活動！）
ex：This year we are going to launch three new advertising campaigns.
（今年我們要推出三場新的廣告活動。）
ex：We will begin the new promotional campaign at the start of Q3.
（我們在第三季的季初會展開新的宣傳活動。）



單字小補充campaign　宣傳活動(可數名詞)　
　．可搭配動詞：plan、organize、launch、begin
　．可搭配形容詞：successful、new、advertising、public relations、marketing、promotional

Only Boring People Are Bored 只有讓人無聊的人才會感到無聊

by Brian Foden
What started off as a joke may actually be a serious problem.
那些一開始被當作玩笑話的事，實際上可能是個嚴重的問題。
　　It's likely you are familiar with some of the special days, weeks, and months created by organizations around the world to spread awareness of important concerns. Some examples of this include Earth Day, AIDS Awareness Month, and World Poverty Day. But have you ever heard of National Anti-Boredom Month in the US? Anything designed to _(1)_ boredom must be interesting, so read on to discover the origins of this special month.
世界各地的組織為了傳揚對重要且引人關注事項的認知而創建了特別日子、星期及月份，其中一些日子、星期及月份你很可能已經很熟悉了。這方面的一些例子包括地球日、愛滋病宣傳月、世界貧困日。但你可曾聽過美國的全國反無聊月？任何旨在克服無聊的活動都一定要很有趣，那麼就繼續往下看來發掘這個特殊月份的起源。
　　What is National Anti-Boredom Month and how did it start? The answers _(2)_ in understanding the mindset of a New Jersey public relations expert named Alan Caruba. The initiative grew out of Caruba's 1984 spoof that involved _(3)_ a fake organization called The Boring Institute. His _(4)_ came about while he was watching the famed Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV. _(5)_ that the parade always seemed the same year after year, he decided to have a bit of fun by developing a press release claiming it was actually a hoax. _(6)_ from his newly created institute, the release stated that what was shown on TV was actually a video of the parade from a decade earlier. This _(7)_ to other spoofs on celebritydom, and National Anti-Boredom Month was born.
全國反無聊月是什麼，又是如何開始的？這些問題的答案在於要先了解新澤西州一位名為艾倫‧卡魯巴公關專家的心態。全國反無聊月的創始源自克魯巴在 1984 年的一次整人計劃，在該計劃中，他創立了一個叫作『無聊協會』的假機構。克魯巴在觀賞梅西百貨感恩節遊行時產生了這個動機。他觀察到那場遊行似乎年年都是相同的活動，便決定擬一份新聞稿，聲稱那場感恩節遊行其實是場騙局，藉此來獲得一點兒樂趣。他利用新成立的協會來發佈新聞稿，聲稱電視上所呈現的遊行其實是 10 年前的錄影節目。這也造成日後對名人界出現了一些整人活動，全國反無聊月於焉誕生。
　　While Caruba's organization and Anti-Boredom Month started as a joke on the media, there is a serious _(8)_ message to it all. Caruba wrote in an Internet article in 2008 that boredom was a precursor to _(9)_ and suicide and that it may lead to crime. He also stated boredom was the cause of some divorces and that it was trouble. _(10)_ National Anti-Boredom Month might be a joke, boredom can be a serious problem, so find something fun to do right now.
雖然克魯巴的組織和全國反無聊月起初對媒體開了一個玩笑，這一切卻帶有一個嚴肅的基本訊息。克魯巴在 2008 年的網路文章上寫道，無聊是憂鬱症和自殺的前兆，同時無聊亦可能會導致犯罪。他還指出，無聊是一些人離婚的原因，並表示那會造成麻煩。雖然全國反無聊月可能是個笑話，無聊還是可能會成為嚴重的問題，所以現在就去找些樂事做做吧。
(A) underlying　(B) lie　(C) motivation　(D) Observing　(E) depression
(F) While　(G) Issued　(H) conquer　(I) led　(J) creating



@原來如此
1. Anything designed to conquer boredom must be interesting, so read on to discover the origins of this special month.
理由
a. 原句實等於：
Anything which is designed to _______ boredom must be interesting,...
b. 得知本題測試下列固定句構
be designed to V　　被設計來……
This book is designed to teach students how to write.
這本書旨在教導學生如何寫作。
c. 根據上述，空格內應置原形及物動詞，使 boredom 作其受詞。選項中僅(B) lie（躺、說謊、在於）、(H) conquer（克服）為原形動詞。但 (B) 為不及物動詞。根據語意，僅 (H) 為正選。
2. The answers lie in understanding the mindset of a New Jersey public relations expert named Alan Caruba.
理由
a. 本句句首以複數名詞 The answers（這些答案）作為主詞，得知空格內應置複數動詞，且為現在式，因為空格前的句子 "What is National Anti-Boredom Month...?" 為現在式。
b. 選項中僅 (B) lie（說謊、躺、在於）為現在式動詞，且因為空格後有介詞 in，形成下列固定用法：
lie in...　　在於……
In my view, success lies in hard work.
我認為成功全在於努力。
c. 根據上述，(B) 項應為正選。
3. The initiative grew out of Caruba's 1984 spoof that involved creating a fake organization called The Boring Institute.
理由
a. 空格前有 that 引導的形容詞子句，此處 that 等於 which，之後的動詞 involved 表『包括』，得知之後須接名詞或動名詞作受詞，形成下列固定用法：
involve vt. 包括，包含
The test involves answering a series of questions about a photograph.
這項考試包含回答一張照片的幾個問題。
Many of the crimes in the city involve drugs.
該城市中的許多犯罪都和毒品有關。
c. 然而因為空格後有名詞詞組 a fake organization（假組織），得知空格應置動名詞，使該名詞作動名詞的受詞，形成的動名詞片語同時作 involved 的受詞。選項中僅 (A) underlying（凸顯……的重要）、(J) creating（創造）為動名詞。根據語意，僅 (J) 為正選。
4. His motivation came about while he was watching the famed Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV.
理由
a. 空格前有所有格 His，得知空格內應置名詞作主詞，使空格後有動詞 came about（發生）作動詞。
b. 選項中，僅(C) motivation（動機）、(E) depression（憂鬱症）可作名詞。根據語意，僅 (C) 為正選。
c. motivation n. 動機
His biggest problem is his lack of motivation.
他最大的問題便是他缺乏動機。
5. Observing that the parade always seemed the same year after year, he decided to have a bit of fun by developing a press release claiming it was actually a hoax.
理由
a. 由於空格位於句首，故應選單字開頭字母為大寫的選項，選項中 (D) Observing（觀察）、(G) Issued（被發佈）、(F) While（當、而、雖然） 均為大寫開頭單字。然而，空格後有 that 子句，勢必作為動詞的受詞。
b. 原句實等於：
He observed that the parade..., he decided to...(×)
此時兩句皆為主要子句，中間無連接詞連接，屬錯誤句構。因此第一個主要子句須改成分詞片語，步驟如下：
(1) 刪除相同主詞；
(2) 將動詞改為現在分詞，此處 observed 改為 observing。
c. 根據上述，(D) 項應為正選。
6. Issued from his newly created institute, the release stated that what was shown on TV was actually a video of the parade from a decade earlier.
理由
a. 空格在句首，得知只能選開頭字母大寫的答案，且因為空格後並不是完整子句，故空格不得置連接詞。(G) 及 (F) 項為大寫開頭，而 (F) While 為連接詞，故僅 (G) 為正選。
b. 原句實等於：
The release was issued from his newly created institute, the release stated that...(×)
此時兩句皆為主要子句，中間無連接詞連接，屬錯誤句構。因此第一個主要子句須改成分詞片語，步驟如下：
(1) 刪除相同主詞；
(2) 將動詞改為現在分詞，此處 was issued 改為 being issued，且 being 可以省略。
c. 根據上述，僅 (G) 項為正選。
d. issue vt. 發佈
They issued a joint statement denying the charges.
他們發佈了聯合聲明，否認那項指控。
7. This led to other spoofs on celebritydom, and National Anti-Boredom Month was born.
理由
a. 空格前有主詞 This，得知空格應置動詞，且此動詞可與介詞 to 搭配形成下列固定用法：
lead to...　　造成……
The driver's carelessness led to the accident.
那位駕駛的粗心導致了這場車禍。
b. 由於空格前句子為過去式，得知空格也須置過去式動詞，以形成時態一致，選項中僅 (I) 符合上述條件，故為正選。
8. While Caruba's organization and Anti-Boredom Month started as a joke on the media, there is a serious underlying message to it all.
理由
a. 空格後為名詞 message（訊息），空格前為形容詞 serious（嚴肅的），得知空格就算不加字也合乎語法。若此處要加字，則須加形容詞，使該形容詞與 message 搭配成為複合字，被 serious 修飾。
b. 選項中僅剩 (A) underlying（根本的）為形容詞，故為正選。
c. underlying a. 根本的
Unemployment is the underlying cause of the rising crime rate.
失業問題是犯罪率不斷上升的根本原因。
9. Caruba wrote in an Internet article in 2008 that boredom was a precursor to depression and suicide and that it may lead to crime.
理由
a. 空格後有對等連接詞 and，之後有名詞 suicide（自殺），得知空格須置名詞以作空格前介詞 to 的受詞。此外，由於是對等連接詞連接兩屬性相同的詞或片語，故此處應選 (E) depression（憂鬱症）。
b. depression n. 憂鬱症
John has been suffering from depression since 2008.
約翰自從 2008 年以來一直受憂鬱症所苦。
10. While National Anti-Boredom Month might be a joke, boredom can be a serious problem,...
理由
a. 由於空格後為一完整子句 "National Anti-Boredom Month might be a joke"（全國反無聊月可能是個玩笑話）空格後又有一完整子句 "boredom can be a serious problem"（無聊可能會是個嚴重的問題），得知空格應置連接詞以連接兩個完整子句，故僅 (F) 為正選。
b. while conj. 雖然
While Tom's very good at science, his brother is absolutely hopeless.
雖然湯姆很擅長科學，他弟弟卻完全不在行。



@單字小舖
1. boredom n. 無聊
2. mindset n. 心態
3. spoof n. 欺騙，愚弄
4. famed a. 知名的
5. parade n. 遊行；閱兵典禮
6. press release n. 新聞稿
7. hoax n. 欺騙，愚弄
8. institute n. 協會
9. celebritydom n. 名人界
10. precursor n. 前兆



@Usage Tips
a. celebritydom, kingdom, stardom
以-dom結尾的單字有『界』的意思，如：kingdom（王國）、celebritydom（名人界）、stardom（明星界）。
b. 比較 year after year / day after day / year by year / day by day。
year after year 表『年復一年』；day after day 表『日復一日』；day by day 表『一天一天地（強調情況在漸漸地變化）』。
Kevin studied day after day for the exam.
凱文日復一日唸書準備那次的考試。
My grandfather's health is improving day by day.
我爺爺的健康漸漸在改善中。



@難句分析
Issued from his newly created institute, the release stated that what was shown on TV...
= Issued from his newly created institute, the release stated that the thing which was shown on TV...
他利用新成立的協會來發佈新聞稿，聲稱電視上所呈現的遊行……



@精解難字片語

1. It's likely (that)...　　很可能……
It is likely that the economy will improve this year.
今年的經濟很有可能會改善。
2. be familiar with sth　　熟悉某事
be familiar to sb　　對某人而言很熟悉
I won't get lost because I'm familiar with this part of town.
我不會迷路，因為我對這個地方很熟悉。
3. awareness n. 體認
aware a. 了解的，知道的
Are you aware of the fact that you are making me angry?
你知不知道你令我生氣了？
4. concern n. 關懷；關心的事
The rich man showed no concern for the poor.
這有錢人對窮人一點都不關切。
5. initiative n. 主動行動；進取心
on one's own initiative　　主動地
Richard showed a lot of initiative and was promoted to manager after only a year.
理查展現強烈進取心，僅一年後就獲得升遷為經理。
The rookie cop disobeyed the captain's orders and acted on his own initiative.
那位菜鳥警察不服從隊長的命令，擅自行動。
6. come about　　發生
= come to pass
= happen
Can you tell me how the accident came about?
你可以告訴我那件意外是如何發生的嗎？
7. state vt. 聲明（之後接 that 子句作受詞）
Al stated that he would be running for president.
艾爾聲稱他會參選總統。

 

答案：1.(H)　2.(B)　3.(J)　4.(C)　5.(D)　6.(G)　7.(I)　8.(A)　9.(E)　10.(F)

Beyond the Cosmos 超乎想像的宇宙

Imagine opening your closet door and finding a whole other world on the other side. Sounds pretty fantastic, doesn't it? Anyone who has read the book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, or seen the movie by the same name knows about this possibility. In fact, there are many people who believe in the idea of parallel universes. For them, life may be bad in the world they live in now, while everything is perfect on the other side.
想像一下您打開櫥櫃的門，然後在櫃子裡的另一頭發現一個截然不同的世界。聽起來很神奇，不是嗎？每個看過《獅子‧女巫‧魔衣櫥》這本書、或是看過同名電影的人，都知道這種事情發生的可能性（編按：上述的書和電影即為《納尼亞傳奇》系列的第一集）。事實上，有許多人都相信平行宇宙的概念。對這些人來說，他們身處的世界或許處處不如人意，然而在另一端的世界卻是一切盡善盡美。
　　The concept of parallel universes may be hard to swallow. This is because science teachers have been telling students for a long time that there is only one universe. However, scientists are now suggesting that ours may not be the only one out there. They believe that there may be a multiverse made up of a limitless number of worlds. Some of these could be similar to ours but with all the laws of physics turned upside down. Others could be so completely different that we wouldn't recognize any of it. If this is too hard to picture, then tune in to Beyond the Cosmos on National Geographic Channel this month to see the universe in a whole new light.
平行宇宙的概念或許令人難以置信。這是因為科學老師一直以來都告訴學生只有一個宇宙存在。如今科學家們卻暗示著我們居住的宇宙並非唯一一個。他們相信世上還有一個由無數世界所組成的多重宇宙。當中有些世界或許和我們的類似，不過所有的物理法則卻是與我們完全顛倒。剩下的那些則可能和我們的世界大相逕庭，已置於讓我們完全認不出來。如果這一切對您來說太難以想像，那麼本月份敬請收看國家地理頻道《超乎想像的宇宙》，以全新的視角來看待宇宙。



@Words & Phrases
1. possibility n. 可能性
There is a good possibility that Sandra is pregnant.
珊卓拉很可能懷孕了。
2. be hard to swallow　　（事情）令人難以置信∕接受
swallow vt. 吞下；輕易接受
Jason's lame excuse for standing me up was hard to swallow.
傑森放我鴿子的爛理由令人難以接受。
3. suggest vt. 暗示；顯示
The evidence suggests that there were two people involved in the crime.
證據顯示有兩人涉入這起罪案。
4. limitless a. 無限的，沒有限制的
The wedding guests had access to a limitless supply of drinks.
那場婚禮的賓客可以無限暢飲。
5. upside down　　顛倒地，倒置地
I thought the painting looked fine, but Ann said I hung it upside down.
我認為那幅畫看起來很正常，但是安妮跟我說我掛反了。
6. recognize vt. 認得，認出
Nick's grandmother didn't recognize him after she developed Alzheimer's disease.
尼克的祖母在得了阿茲海默症後就不認得他了。
7. picture vt. 想像
I can't picture what life will be like 20 years from now.
我很難想像二十年後人們會過著怎麼樣的生活。
8. in a + 形容詞 + light　　從……的角度
I couldn't believe that the film showed global warming in a good light.
我不敢相信那部影片用正面的角度來看待全球暖化一事。



@Extra Words

1. wardrobe n. 衣櫥
2. parallel universe　n. 平行宇宙
parallel a. 平行的
3. law n. 法則
4. physics n. 物理學
5. the cosmos n. 宇宙

 

 

@Tips In Use

"tune in to..."（收看……）
本片語中的 tune 為一動詞，表『轉台；調頻』，另一個由 tune 形成的常用片語則為：
stay tuned to...　　繼續收看∕收聽……
Stay tuned to this radio station for the latest in popular music.
（要收聽最新的流行音樂，敬請繼續鎖定本電台。）
注意:
上述片語多用於媒體上作為宣傳節目之用，日常生活的對話中則較常用 turn 或 switch 來表『轉台』。
Ben switched to a different channel because he didn't want to watch the news.
（小班將電視轉到別台，因為他不想看新聞。）

Humor

Is humor a universal experience? Well, it's true that people all over the world enjoy a good laugh. But every culture's funny bone is tickled a different way. Humor is based on shared experiences and background knowledge. As a result, non-Americans have a hard time seeing why American jokes are funny, even if they know what the words mean. But if you know what to look for, you can learn to appreciate American humor.
幽默是不是一種全世界共通的經驗呢？嗯，全世界的人都喜歡開懷大笑倒是真的。不過，
令不同文化背景的人感到好笑之處都不相同，幽默是建立在共同的經驗與知識背景上，因
此，即使能明白字面上的意思，但若不是美國人就很難了解美式笑話的好笑之處。不過你
若能掌握訣竅，就可以學會欣賞美式幽默。
The pun, or the play on words, is a basic part of American humor. Puns are
based on words that have a double meaning or words that sound alike. For example, one man saw an expensive car wrapped around a tree after an accident. He said, “That's the way the Mercedes Benz!” The obvious pun is that Benz sounds like bends. Some people consider the pun a low form ofhumor, but many Americans still enjoy “pun”-ishing each other.
雙關語，或稱作玩弄文字遊戲，是美式幽默中一個基本的部分。雙關語所用的字都有
雙重的意義，或者發音很接近。舉例來說，有個人看到一輛昂貴的汽車在發生意外事
故後整個車身纏繞在一棵樹上，他說：「賓士車撞歪之後就是這副德性！」在這個明
顯的雙關語中，「賓士」的發音和「彎曲」很像。有些人覺得雙關語是較為不高尚的
幽默方式，但是很多美國人仍然喜歡以雙關語彼此開玩笑。
Other types of American humor are based on language, too. Knock-knock jokes, popular with
children, follow a standard format:
其他種類的美式幽默也是以語文為基礎的。「敲門，敲門」的笑話在孩子圈裡很流行，
其標準格式如下：
Knock knock!
Who's there?
Dozen.
Dozen who?
Dozen (Doesn't) anybody want to let me in?
People in America like making each other laugh. Even if they are not professional comedians, most people think they have a good sense of humor. A favorite American style of joking around is “pulling somebody's leg.” That means telling someone a story which is untrue—maybe even a “tall tale”—while keeping a straight face. At other times, Americans use funny voices or sound effects to spice up a story. Their body language and facial expressions add to the humor.
美國人喜歡引人發笑，即使不是什麼專業的喜劇演員，大部分的人都覺得自己很幽默。
美國人最喜歡的一種玩笑方式是「開別人玩笑，使其信以為真」，就是板著臉孔正經
八百地陳述一件並非真實的故事——或許甚至是個誇張的故事。此外，美國人會以滑
稽的聲音或音效為一個故事增加笑料，他們的肢體語言和面部表情可以使其更好笑。
Sometimes, though, people in America make jokes about others. Mothers-in-law, politicians, teachers and ethnic groups are the target o f many jokes. Here's one: An absent-minded college professor left a note on his office door that said, “I'II be back in one hour.” When he returned, he read the note and sat down to wait for himself. Get it?
不過，有時候美國人也會取笑他人，岳母、政客、老師和不同族群的人都是被取笑的
對象。這裡有一個笑話：一個心不在焉的大學教授在他辦公室門口留了一張紙條，上
面寫著：「我會在一個小時內回來。」當他回來時，看完紙條後就坐下來等他自己。
你聽懂了嗎？
America is a funny place. lf you need a laugh, it's not far away. Just pick up a newspaper and scan the “funny pages” for your favorite comic strip. Or turn on the TV and watch a comedy show. Mail a smile to a friend by sending a humorous greeting card. And watch for amusing situations around you in real life. Telling stories about funny experiences is a great way to brighten up someone's day. Hey, did you hear about the time I...
美國是個很有趣的地方，你如果需要一笑，絕對不成問題。只要拿起報紙，瀏覽一下
遊戲版上你最喜歡的連環漫畫，或者打開電視看一齣喜劇。寄一張有趣的祝賀卡給朋
友，帶給他一個微笑。觀察周遭生活中一些有趣的情況，把一些有趣的經驗告訴別人
，這也是個讓人日子過得更開心的好方法。嘿，你有沒有聽說，有一次我...。



@Word Bank
funny bone (n phr) 肘上方恥骨之端（碰到時會發麻）
tickle (v) 搔癢；覺得酥癢
pun (n) 雙關語
wrap around (v phr) 纏裹
comedian (n) 喜劇演員
pull somebody's leg (v phr) 開某人玩笑使其信以為真 
target (n)（被開玩笑的）目標
absent-minded (adj) 心不在焉的 

comic strip (n phr) 連環圖畫
 

 

@The Day's Phrase

Six tips to protect you in the sun this summer
今夏保護你不受陽光侵害的六大祕訣

Marie's parents have very strict rules. I would hate to be in her shoes when she gets home after curfew.
瑪麗的父母規定很嚴格，我不會喜歡處於她宵禁後回家的處境。

Making life brighter for special families
讓特殊家庭的人生更光明

Robert got front row seats at the last Chicago Bulls game. He knew people in high places to get those tickets.
瑪上次芝加哥公牛隊比賽時，羅伯拿了前排座位的票。他認識一些有影響力的人替他拿到了票。

Don't give up - you can do it
別放棄，你一定學得會

Laura exclaimed, "Grandma has lost her marbles! She keeps calling me Roy!"
蘿拉喊道：「奶奶已經老糊塗了！她一直把我叫做羅伊！」
Kelly can eat a whole cake by herself. I wonder how she can eat like a pig and stay slender?
凱莉一個人可以吃下一整個蛋糕。我想不透她是怎能吃那麼多又保持苗條的。

An amazing world of animal and plant life hides just under the water's surface
充滿動、植物生態的神奇世界就隱藏在水面之下

It seems like Hollywood filmmakers have money to burn. They spend extravagant amounts of money to make movies.
好萊塢的製片們似乎是有花不完的錢，他們砸下大把銀子製作電影。

Paul heard about his brother's engagement before the rest of the family did.
He said, "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone, my lips are sealed."
保羅比他其他的家人早得知他弟弟訂婚的消息。
他說：「別擔心，我不會告訴任何人的，我會守口如瓶。」

The many surprising ways cacti can be used
仙人掌有許多驚奇意外的用途

Camping is not Brian's scene. He hates sleeping on the ground and fighting off the hungry mosquitoes.
布萊恩對露營沒興趣。他討厭睡在地上並和飢餓的蚊子群奮戰。
The square was a sea of people.

Man-Eater Manhunt 食人猛獸真面目

by Marcus Maurice
Gordon Buchanan is on a mission to battle blood-thirsty beasts.
食人猛獸真面目
高登‧布坎南接受對抗嗜殺成性野獸的任務
　　There's a serial killer lurking around Chitwan National Park in Nepal and her name is Nangara Pothi. Nicknamed The Claw, this deadly tigress has killed at least 10 people since 2008. Gordon Buchanan, host of Man-Eater Manhunt on National Geographic Channel (NGC), travels to Nepal to investigate. He hopes to unlock the myths and mysteries of the man-eating tigress.
有一個連環殺手潛伏在尼泊爾奇旺國家公園附近，她名叫南加拉‧博提。這隻綽號名為『爪子』的致命母老虎自 2008 年起已經將至少 10 人攻擊致死。國家地理頻道《食人猛獸真面目》節目的主持人高登‧布坎南前往尼泊爾調查。他希望能解開這隻食人母老虎的迷思與奧秘。
　　Buchanan's mission is to know and understand man-eaters—animals that have killed or even eaten humans. He wonders if the reasons for the attacks on humans are due to the predators' loss of natural space. Buchanan is determined to put himself directly in the path to find out the answers. In Tanzania, Buchanan hooks up with a local researcher to try and learn why lions that normally don't eat people now have a taste for human flesh. Buchanan finds out that most of the farmers that were killed by the lions had been sleeping in makeshift shelters while trying to protect their harvests. The only way to get to the bottom of the mystery, Buchanan thinks, is to spend a night in one of the shelters.
布坎南的任務是要知道並了解食人動物──就是那些會殺害人或甚至把人吃掉的動物。他想知道這些針對人類的攻擊是否因這些捕食者失去大自然空間所致。布坎南決心把自己直接放在動物捕食的路徑上，藉此找出答案。在坦尚尼亞，布坎南與一位當地的研究者共事，試圖要得知為什麼通常不吃人的獅子現在卻性喜吃人肉。布坎南發現，大部分遭獅子咬死的農夫都是那些為了保護收成而一直睡在臨時簡陋住所的人。布坎南認為要釐清這個謎團最終原因的唯一方式，就是要花一個晚上的時間睡在其中一個簡陋住所內。
　　Lions and tigers are dangerous, but leopards are renowned as elusive and resourceful predators. In Mumbai, India, one of the most populous cities in the world, 57 people have been killed by leopards, and Buchanan wants to know why. He sets up thermal camera traps and visits the city's suburbs at night. By doing so, Buchanan feels he gets a handle on what the opportunistic predators known for their diverse diets do at night. Dig into the leopards' secrets and more on NGC's Man-Eater Manhunt.
獅子和老虎都很危險，但豹卻以難以捉摸且足智多謀而出名。在全球人口最多城市之一的印度孟買，57 個人被豹咬死，布坎南想要知道為什麼。他架設起熱能攝影機陷阱，並在夜晚探訪了該市的近郊處。布坎南覺得他這樣做便可了解這種以其多樣化飲食而出名的機會主義掠食者會有什麼作為。觀賞國家地理頻道的《食人猛獸真面目》節目以探討豹的秘密及其他更多的資訊。


@精解字詞片語
1. lurk vi. 埋伏
Why are you lurking around my house?
你為什麼要潛伏在我房子外面？
2. myth n. 錯誤的概念，迷思
Contrary to popular myth, women are not worse drivers than men.
和普遍錯誤的觀念相反，女性開車不比男性差。
3. mystery n. 神秘的事物，謎團
Time travel is one of the great unsolved mysteries of this century.
時空旅行是本世紀最大的未解之謎之一。
How the pyramids in Egypt were constructed remains a mystery.
埃及的金字塔是如何建造的，至今仍是個謎。
4. determined a. 已下決心的
be determined to V　　決心要從事……
Mary is determined to succeed at all costs.
瑪麗決定不惜任何代價以求成功。
5. hook up with sb　　開始與某人共事
The singer hooked up with the guitar player to create a band in 2000.
那位歌手開始與該吉他手共事，於 2000 年組成了一個樂團。
6. have a taste for...　　對……有興趣
taste n. 愛好，興趣
The trip to Africa gave me my first taste for foreign travel.
那趟前往非洲的旅遊讓我首度產生對出國旅遊的興趣。
7. get to the bottom of...　　弄清……的真相
I won't give up until I get to the bottom of the problem.
直到我弄清這個問題的真相以前我不會放棄。
8. be renowned as...　　因身為……而出名
renowned a. 有名的
Marco Polo is renowned as an explorer.
馬可‧波羅是位有名的探險家。
9. elusive a. 難以理解的
elude vt. 躲避，逃避
The criminals managed to elude the police for two weeks.
那些罪犯設法躲避警方的追緝，時間長達兩星期。
10. resourceful a. 富於機智的
resource n. 資源
Richard is a very resourceful manager.
理查是個足智多謀的經理。
11. set up...　　架設……
John helped me set up my stereo in my room the other day.
約翰前幾天幫我把立體音響架設在我房間裡。
12. suburb n. 郊區（常用複數）
in the suburbs　　在郊區
I used to live in the suburbs, but I moved downtown a few weeks ago.
我過去曾住在郊區，但我前幾個星期搬到了市區。
13. get a handle on...　　了解……
Although we had discussed the concept for quite some time, I still couldn't get a handle on it.
雖然我們討論那個概念已經好一會兒了，但我還是不太了解。
14. diverse a. 多樣性的
diversity n. 多樣性（= variety）
The city's diverse population makes life colorful.
這座城市因人口的多樣性使得生活多采多姿。
15. dig into...　　致力於找出……的資訊
I need you to dig into his past and see what you can find.
我需要你致力於查詢他的背景，看看能找出些什麼資料。


@Words Comparison

flesh 與 meat 的比較：
flesh 與 meat 這兩個字都含有『肉』的意思，但用法確有很大的差別。
flesh 是指『人體或動物身上的肉』或『水果的果肉』。
meat 是指『食用的肉』。
The next thing to do is to cut the meat into small pieces.
下一件要做的事就是把這塊肉切成小塊。
The thorn went deep into the flesh of my left hand.
那根刺深深刺入我左手掌的肉裡。
The flesh of the fruit is yellow.
那種水果的果肉是黃色的。

 

 

@單字小舖
1. serial killer n. 連環殺人兇手
2. claw n.（動物的）爪子
3. deadly a. 致命的
4. unlock vt. 揭開
5. predator n. 食肉動物，捕食者
6. researcher n. 研究員
7. normally adv. 通常地
8. flesh n.（人的）肉；（果實的）果肉
9. makeshift a. 臨時代用的
10. shelter n. 躲避處；避難處
11. harvest n. 收成
12. leopard n. 美洲豹
13. populous a. 人口眾多的
14. thermal a. 熱能的
15. trap n. 陷阱
16. opportunistic a. 機會主義的

 

 

@片語小舖

1. due to...　　由於……
2. in the path　　在路徑上

到箱根有 express train 嗎？

 說法比一比：★★★★學校：How can I go to Hakkone?
　　　（我可以怎麼去箱根？）
老外：How do I get to Hakkone from here?
　　　（我從這裡要怎麼去箱根？）

實境對話
A：Excuse me, how do I get to Hakkone from here?
　（請問一下，我從這裡要怎麼去箱根？）
B：There's an express train leaving in 20 minutes.
　（有一班快車會在20分鐘後開。）

老外還會這麼說
ex：What's the best way to get to Hakkone?
　（去箱根最好的方法是什麼？）
ex：Can I get an express train to Hakkone from here?　
　（我可以從這裡搭快車去箱根嗎？）
ex：Do I have to transfer?　
　（我要轉車嗎？）

True enough. 但你確定不要嗎？

 技術挑戰指數：★★★一群姐妹淘聚在一起，總是免不了討論哪裡有好吃的蛋糕、點心、下午茶。昨天大家剛好就在討論要不要團購網路上第一名的重乳酪起士蛋糕，Ａ同事說：可是熱量好像很高，這樣吃了會變胖耶！Ｂ同事則說：True enough. 但你確定不要嗎？之後不要後悔喔！結果就是大家都各訂了兩盒，團購力量大啊！

 來聽老美怎麼說？
Sophie：Nancy, would you like a sweet bun?
　 （蘇菲：南希，你要不要來一個甜麵包？）
Nancy：No. Those things make you fat.
　 （南希：不了。那些東西會讓人發胖。）
Sophie：True enough. But this is the last one, and I think maybe Ken wanted it.
　（蘇菲：那倒是真的。但這是最後一個了。我想肯恩可能會要。）
Nancy：Say no more. Let me have it.
　 （南希：別說了。這一個歸我。）

俚語小解析
True enough.　那倒是真的。　
當你要對某一論點作讓步時，就可以說："True enough."(那倒是真的。)但也常常聽到有人說："True enough. But..."(那倒是真的。但是...)，因為使用"True enough."表示接受某個意見的人，經常還有其他更重要的意見要說。

打電話 reservation 了嗎？

說法比一比：★★★★學校：I'm Liu. I reserved a room.
　　 （我是 Liu。我訂了房間。）
老外：I have a reservation under Liu, L-I-U.
　　（我有訂房，名字是 Liu, L-I-U。）


實境對話
A：Welcome to the Chicago Sheraton.
　（歡迎光臨芝加哥喜來登。）
B：Thanks, I have a reservation under Liu, L-I-U.
　（謝謝。我有訂房，名字是 Liu, L-I-U。）


老外還會這麼說
ex：I have a reservation. My last name is Chen.
　（我有訂房，我姓 Chen。）
ex：I don't have a reservation. Do you have any singles available?　
　（我沒有訂房。你們有沒有什麼空的單人房？）

business 風格大不同！

技術挑戰指數：★★★大學唸了四年的日文，畢業後很幸運的進入一間規模還算大的日本企業工作，之前就有耳聞日本的企業體系很重視輩分倫理，進去後才發現果然不假，最菜的員工就是要負責倒茶水及打掃辦公室，不管你的職位是什麼！聽說其中一位高中同學是在美國的企業公司工作，放假日期都是跟著美國放的，像是聖誕節他們公司就有放假！


來聽老美怎麼說？
ex：I run a medium-sized business. We export lenses to China.
（我經營了一家中型企業。我們外銷鏡片到中國。）
ex：This is a very profitable business enterprise.
（這是一家非常賺錢的工商企業。）
ex：It's a good business, even though its not large.
（這是一家不錯的企業，即使它並不大。）
ex：I don't think the new regulations will affect the business too much.
（我認為新規定不致於對企業造成太大的影響。）


單字小補充
business 　企業(可數名詞)　
　．可搭配動詞：run、affect
　．可搭配形容詞：good、profitable、large、medium-sized

Folk Tales

In the world of American folk tales, almost anything can happen: A cowboy rides a tornado without a saddle. A huge lumberjack digs the Great Lakes to give his giant blue ox drinking water. A rabbit's big mouth gets him stuck in a bunch of tar. Sometimes, though, this world seems more like real life: A young farmer plants apple trees everywhere he goes. A man wins a race against a machine. Above all, this fantasy world finds people struggling
against circumstances— and winning.
在美國民間傳說的世界中，幾乎任何事都可能發生：一位牛仔可以
不用馬鞍而騎在龍捲風上；一個身材宏偉的伐木工人挖了「大湖」，好給他藍色
的巨牛喝水；或是一隻兔子因為愛說話而被卡在焦油裡。雖然如此，有時候傳
奇世界又似乎更像真實生活：一位年輕農夫在他所到之處種下蘋果樹；一個男
人在比賽中勝過一台機器。綜觀在這些充滿了幻想的世界裡，人們總是與環境
對抗——而最後贏得了勝利。
Tall tales, extraordinary tales of ordinary people and events, sprang from the days of the American pioneers. As the early settlers faced a rugged environment, they told stories of superhuman heroes. Paul Bunyan was a giant lumberjack who helped settle the Northwestern Territory. Bunyan could cut down a whole forest in less than an hour. His giant blue ox, Babe, could carry off the logs in one load.
在美國先民拓荒的歲月中，流傳出許多平凡人和事的誇大傳奇。由於早期
的移民者面臨了惡劣的環境，他們便傳說著一些超人式的英雄人物。保羅．邦
陽是一位伐木的大力士，他幫助到西北部來拓荒的移民安頓生活，他可以在一
小時內砍完整片森林，而他藍色的巨牛——寶貝，可以一車就拉完所有的木材。
Pecos Bill was the hero of American cowboys. Bill almost single-handedly
tamed the rough wilderness in the American Southwest. He was so tough he used a rattlesnake
for a lasso to rope in his cattle.
培寇士．比爾則是美國牛仔們的英雄，他幾乎單獨馴服了美國的西南部荒
漠，他很厲害可以用響尾蛇作繩索套住他的牛。
Not all American folk tales are so far from the truth. Some developed from real historical events. For example, Johnny Appleseed planted thousands of acres of apple trees in the Midwest. He gave apple seeds to everyone he met, encouraging them to plant trees, too. In fact, the real person behind the legend was John Chapman, an early pioneer. Chapman did indeed own many apple orchards.
並不是所有的美國民間傳說都這麼離譜，有些故事仍是從真實的歷史事件
發展出來的。例如：強尼．艾坡西（蘋果子）在中西部種植了好幾千畝的蘋果
樹，他送蘋果種子給所有他見到的人，並且鼓勵他們種樹。事實上，在此傳奇
背後的真實人物是約翰．查普曼，一位早期的拓荒者，查普曼則確實擁有很多
蘋果園。
Another legend grew up around John Henry, a black laborer helping dig a tunnel on a rail road line. A man with a steam drill boasted he could do the work of 20 men using hammers. John Henry challenged him to a race. After John Henry won, so the legend goes, he died from exhaustion. Actually, after winning the race, John Henry was killed by the collapse of the tunnel.
事實上，在此傳奇背後的真實人物是約翰．查普曼，一位早期的拓荒者，查普曼則確
實擁有很多蘋果園。另外一個傳奇則圍繞著約翰．亨利，他是一個在火車路線上協助
挖隧道的黑人勞工。有一個帶著蒸氣鑽洞機的男人自誇說，他一個人可以抵得上二
十個拿鐵鎚的工人。於是約翰．亨利就向他挑戰，這個故事流傳的結果是說在約翰．亨利
大勝之後，即因體力耗竭而過世，然而事實上，在贏了比賽之後，約翰．亨利是因隧道倒
塌而葬身其中的。
Some folk tales have come directly from the pages of American literature. Uncle Remus and his stories about Brer (Brother) Rabbit delight many young Americans. The most famous one,“Brer Rabbit and the Tar Baby, ” tells how a big-mouthed rabbit gets himself into—and then out of—trouble. The writer, Joel Chandler Harris, heard many of the stories from slaves on a Southern plantation.
有些民間傳說直接來自美國文學作品。瑞莫斯叔叔和他的兔老弟的故事就帶給年輕的
美國人許多歡樂的時光，他最有名的故事「兔子老弟和焦油寶寶」，述說了一隻大嘴
巴的兔子如何陷入麻煩，又如何逃脫。這些故事的作者喬伊．千德勒．哈里斯從南方
大莊園上的黑奴那兒聽來了許多故事。Another popular tale came from the pen of Washington Irving. Rip Van Winkle, a poor farmer from New England, falls asleep during a hunting trip and sleeps for 20 years. When he awakens, his whole world has changed.
另一個很受歡迎的傳說是出自於華盛頓．爾文的筆下：瑞普．范恩．文克是一個新英格蘭
區的貧窮農夫，他去野外打獵時睡著了，而且一睡就是二十年，當他醒來的時候，整個
世界都已經改變了。
Of course, Americans didn't invent folk tales. Every culture has its own stories of common people dealing with life's challenges. Often these tales are passed down orally from generation to generation. Some of them, like Snow White, Cinderella and even Santa Claus, exist in different versions all over the world. Many others are unique to the cultures that tell them. But all reflect a common hope: to live “happily ever after.”
當然，民間傳說並不是美國人所發明的。在每個文化中都有屬於它們自己的故事，這些
故事講述著平凡人如何面對生活的挑戰。通常這些故事都是一代代地以口相傳，其中有
些以不同的版本流傳在世界各地，比如說白雪公主、灰姑娘，甚至是聖誕老公公。而有
許多傳說則是某特定文化才獨有的。然而所有的故事都反映出人們一個共同的願望：那
就是「從此過著幸福快樂的生活」。


@Word Bank
tornado (n) 龍捲風；颶風
saddle (n) 馬鞍
lumberjack (n) 伐木工人
tar (n) 黑油；焦油
single-handedly (adv) 獨自地
rattlesnake (n) 響尾蛇
orchard (n) 果園

tunnel (n) 隧道
hammer (n) 鐵鎚
orally (adv) 口頭地
reflect (v) 反映
big-mouthed (adj) 大嘴巴的；愛說話的

@The Day's Phrase

Sorting out your snapshots today will make reliving memories easier tomorrow
今日整理一下照片，將讓你明日重溫回憶變得更加輕鬆
Would you like a cup of tea? No thanks, I'm fine.
要來杯茶嗎？不用了，謝謝。我很好。

It's over now. No one will bother you ever again.
都結束了。不會再有人來煩你了。

Marketers can use neuroscience to find out what you're thinking, even before you
know yourself
行銷人員可以運用神經科學來得知你的念頭，速度甚至比你本人更快

Do you really want fish for dinner tonight? On second thought, let's have pork instead.
你今天晚餐真的想吃魚嗎？我又想了一想，我們還是吃豬肉吧。

Is James going to be at the party on Saturday? Good question.
詹姆斯週六會去那個派對嗎？問得好。

Mike spilled Coke on Julie's new white dress. It was an accident, so Julie
decided to grin and bear it rather than get angry.
麥可把可樂灑在茱莉全新的白洋裝上。由於是個意外，
所以茱莉就決定忍下這口氣而不計較了。

Singing out the beauty of hope
新加坡創作歌手符美雲唱出希望之美

After Kerry broke up with her boyfriend, her best friend wanted to know all the details. Kerry met her friend for coffee and spilled the beans.
凱莉與男友分手後，她最的好朋友想知道所有的細節。
凱莉就約了她朋友喝咖啡，說出所有的秘密。

April's mom is planning a surprise birthday party for her. She wrote on the invitation,
"Please don't let the cat out of the bag!"
愛帛兒的媽媽正為她計劃著生日的驚喜派對。她在邀請函上寫著：「請別洩漏秘密！」
In America, workers at fast food restaurants take your order and then they usually say,
"Have a nice day." Sometimes they really mean it!
在美國，速食店店員在幫你點完餐後，他們通常會說「祝您有個美好的一天！」。
有時候他們真的是這個意思喔。
Andy Pettitte fractured his ankle in win.